Abstract: The disclosure extends to biodegradable hollow nanoparticles, and systems, methods, devices, and processes for producing the same. The disclosure includes a method of preparing a hollow mesoporous nanoparticle by providing a plurality of silica core particles. Each of the plurality of silica core particles comprises a diameter within a range of about 600 nanometers to about 30 nanometers. The method further includes synthesizing a mesoporous silica shell around the plurality of silica core particles forming a plurality of mesoporous coated silica core particles. Further, the method provides for etching the plurality of mesoporous coated silica core particles with an aqueous solution of sodium carbonate and water to remove the silica core particle from the plurality of mesoporous coated silica core particles forming a plurality of hollow mesoporous particles. The method also includes diffusing a payload into the plurality of hollow mesoporous particles in an aqueous solution.

Abstract: Branching phosphoramidite monomers and molecules having comb-like structures are disclosed and described. A branching phosphoramidite monomer having the structure is provided wherein R4 and R5 are independently —(O—CH2-CH2—)n where n is 1-5 or —O—(CH2—)n where n is 1-10, and R1, R2, and R3 are each one of dimethoxytrityl (DMT)—O—, levulinyl (Lev)—O—, and a phosphoramidite.

Abstract: Methods of minimizing dysregulation of Staufen1-associated RNA metabolism can include introducing an amount of a Staufen1 -regulating agent to a target cell sufficient to minimize the dysregulation. Therapeutic compositions for treating a neurodegenerative condition associated with Staufen1-induced dysregulation of RNA metabolism can include a therapeutically effective amount of a Staufen1-regulating agent and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical device is disclosed and described. The microelectromechanical device can include a base having a raised support structure. The microelectromechanical device can also include a biasing electrode supported by the base. The microelectromechanical device can further include a displacement member supported by the raised support structure. The displacement member can have a movable portion extending from the raised support structure and spaced from the biasing electrode by a gap. The movable portion can be movable relative to the base by deflection of the displacement member. The displacement member can also have a piezoelectric material associated with the movable portion. In addition, the microelectromechanical device can include a voltage source electrically coupled to the piezoelectric material and the biasing electrode.

Abstract: The invention provides the identification of oncogenic pathways activated in cytologically normal airway cells of individuals having or at risk of having lung disease, as well as specific gene expression patterns (biomarkers) associated with pathway activation. These biomarkers and pathways may provide prognostic and/or diagnostic indicators in lung disease, e.g., lung cancer. Additionally, these pathways and biomarkers may provide therapeutic targets for the treatment of lung disease, as well as markers for the assessment of treatment efficacy.

Abstract: Methods of treating the side effects of a toxic medical therapy using nitrated lipids are disclosed herein. In particular, the methods comprise the use of nitrated fatty acids or esters thereof to treat side effects, including organ system damage, caused by chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and the administration of other toxic agents.

Abstract: A system for surface patterning using a three dimensional holographic mask includes a light source configured to emit a light beam toward the holographic mask. The holographic mask can be formed as a topographical pattern on a transparent mask substrate. A semiconductor substrate can be positioned on an opposite site of the holographic mask as the light source and can be spaced apart from the holographic mask. The system can also include a base for supporting the semiconductor substrate.

Abstract: A therapeutic composition can include an amount of amniotic fluid having a therapeutically effective amount of at least one protein, hyaluronic acid, or both. The therapeutic composition can be substantially free of lanugo, vernix, and cells harvested with the amniotic fluid.

Abstract: A technology is described for an electronic peripheral nerve stimulation system. The electronic nerve stimulation system can include a stimulation device and an electrode array. The stimulation device can be operable to generate a high-frequency alternating current. The electrode array can be operable to apply the high-frequency alternating current received from the stimulation device to selected subpopulations of peripheral nerve fibers within a peripheral nerve to block transmission of neural signals along the selected subpopulations of peripheral nerve fibers within the peripheral nerve.

Abstract: Compounds, compositions, and methods comprising a polyamine compound are described, which may be used to kill, disperse, treat, or reduce biofilms, or to inhibit or substantially prevent biofilm formation. In some aspects, the present invention relates to polyamine compounds that have antimicrobial or dispersing activity against a variety of bacterial strains capable of forming biofilms. In some aspects, the present invention relates to compositions and methods comprising the polyamine compound. In some aspects, the compounds, compositions, and methods enhance wound healing.

Abstract: The present invention presents 2-(acylamino)imidazoles with therapeutic activity, including selective activity against cancer cells, and compositions comprising them. Methods of using and preparing the 2-(acylamino)imidazoles are also presented.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and compositions of matter involving enzyme-mediated bioelectrocatalysis are disclosed and described. An enzyme electrode can include an electrode, a bioelectric material coupled to the electrode, the bioelectric material further including a water-permeable polymer matrix, a planar linker covalently coupled to the water-permeable polymer matrix and noncovalently coupled to the electrode, and electrochemically active oxidoreductase enzyme molecules functionally embedded in the water-permeable polymer matrix.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods for decreasing Ataxin 2 mRNA and protein expression. Such methods are useful to treat, prevent, or ameliorate Ataxin 2 associated diseases, disorders, and conditions. Such Ataxin 2 associated diseases include spinocerebellar ataxia type 2 (SCA2), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), and parkinsonism.

Abstract: Described herein is the synthesis of adhesive complex coacervates and their use thereof. The adhesive complex coacervates are composed of a mixture of one or more polycations and one or more polyanions. The polycations and polyanions in the adhesive complex coacervate are crosslinked with one another by covalent bonds upon curing. The adhesive complex coacervates have several desirable features when compared to conventional bioadhesives, which are effective in water-based applications. The adhesive complex coacervates described herein exhibit good interfacial tension in water when applied to a substrate (i.e., they spread over the interface rather than being beaded up). Additionally, the ability of the complex coacervate to crosslink intermolecularly increases the cohesive strength of the adhesive complex coacervate. The adhesive complex coacervates have numerous biological applications as bioadhesives and drug delivery devices.

Abstract: An interferometry system including a coherent light source operable to generate a beam of coherent light is provided. Separate waveguide pathways are optically associated between the coherent light source a photodetector. A transceiving segment can also be optically associated with each waveguide pathway at a location between the coherent light source and the photodetector. Each transceiving segment can be configured to emit an emitted beam of coherent light and positioned to receive a received portion of an emitted beam of coherent light emitted from a transceiving segment optically associated with a different waveguide pathway. The received portion of the emitted beam of coherent light can be combined with coherent light from the waveguide pathway receiving the received portion of the emitted beam of coherent light to form an optical interference signal. Accordingly, each waveguide pathway can be further configured to direct a separate optical interference signal toward a respective photodetector.

Abstract: Disclosed are compositions and methods for inhibiting viral entry.

Abstract: An operating configuration for a power system during a particular time period may be derived from a net load forecast for the power system during the particular time period. The operating configuration may be based on inter-temporal and/or continuous-time characteristics of the net load forecast. A power system manager may schedule power generation and/or energy storage units to satisfy the net load forecast at minimal cost. The power generation and/or energy storage units may be scheduled in accordance with inter-temporal and/or continuous-time characteristics of the net load. The schedule may comply with generation trajectory and/or ramping constraints of the power generating units, power trajectory and/or ramping constraints of the energy storage units, and so on.

Abstract: A device for performing an MRI scan using patient specific scan parameters and a method of optimizing MRI image quality with patient specific scan parameters. The device includes a processor configured to receive MRI scout scan data of a patient injected with a contrast agent, generate a series of MRI scout scan images of the patient, select an initial inversion time (TIinitial) based on the MRI scout scan images, determine a time interval between adjacent inversion pulses (TR) based on an ECG of the patient, calculate a relaxation time (T1) based on TIinitial and TR, calculate an optimized inversion time (TIoptimized) based on the T1, and generate an output to an MRI device to perform an MRI scan of the patient based on TIoptimized.

Abstract: The application discloses multimeric assemblies including multiple oligomeric substructures, where each oligomeric substructure includes multiple proteins that self-interact around at least one axis of rotational symmetry, where each protein includes one or more polypeptide-polypeptide interface (“O interface”); and one or more polypeptide domain that is capable of effecting membrane scission and release of an enveloped multimeric assembly from a cell by recruiting the ESCRT machinery to the site of budding by binding to one or more proteins in the eukaryotic ESCRT complex (“L domain”); and where the multimeric assembly includes one or more subunits comprising one or more polypeptide domain that is capable of interacting with a lipid bilayer (“M domain”), as well as membrane-enveloped versions of the multimeric assemblies.

Abstract: A functionally graded carbide body (400) can include a group 5 metal carbide substrate having a bulk composition region (410) that contains at least 70 wt % of a rhombohedral ?-phase carbide. A ?-phase-rich region (420) having a ?-phase-rich composition can be at a surface (430) of the substrate, and a phase composition gradient region (440) can transition from the ?-phase-rich composition region at the surface to the bulk composition region at a gradient depth (450) below the surface.